Thistle at Milton SquareThistleUrban Moon &The Middle SisterThe Middle Sister& Urban MoonBelle JunqueBelle Junque
Take advantage of the balmy weather to visit all these St. Paul shops. Belle Junque is open Saturday 11 to 5 and Sunday from 12 to 4 at 474 Cleveland Avenue South @ Randolph with a huge selection of creamy white dishes for holiday entertaining and everyday use, ornaments, petite pine cones, charming hanging lights, and some handsome chests and tables. All non-furniture items are at least 20% off.
The Middle Sister and Urban Moon is just a block east of Lexington Pkwy. at 1048 Selby. They are open Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday from 12 to 5. The store has lots of holiday decor plus dishes, linens, tables, toys, art, and jewelry…and much more.
Thistle at Milton Square is open this weekend to participate in Milton Square’s Holiday and 60th Anniversary Celebration. The shop has lovely painted furniture, unique home accessories, and plenty of holiday items for the home including Milton Square commemorative tree ornaments. They also have created a fun wrapping station. Thistle’s hours are Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 12 to 3. There are also many activities taking place in the Square including a visit from Santa and a craft fair on Saturday. Milton Square is located at the intersection of Como and Carter Avenues.
Happy saling!

E’s EmporiumE’s EmporiumE’s EmporiumE’s Emporium
Whatever looks retro from mid-century into the 80’s, you might find at E’s Emporium. Yes, there are some red Santas, but you’ll find more orange cushions and accents than anywhere else. There’s silvery glitz and a sleek “modern” fireplace to add a cozy feel to your space plus lots more truly unmistakeable furniture and decor items. Perfect for you or for a gift. E’s Emporium will be open Friday and Saturday, November 24-25, for your shopping pleasure and again December 1-3 at 3911 Minnehaha Avenue South in Minneapolis (on the Minnehaha Mile of vintage shops). Hours are 11 to 6. Happy saling! Thank you for supporting small local shops!

Haupt Antiek Market is one big Christmas showcase. There are fresh arrangements and swags of greens with jaunty bows, vintage ornaments, all kinds of wreaths, and many Christmas trees. You’ll find inspirational signs to make you smile and some humorous ones to make you laugh. Santas, toys and games are mixed in with stockings for the mantle and sweet old Christmas cards. Pillows, plaid blankets, holiday-themed glassware and dishes are abundant. You’ll love the glitter too. All these and much more are at Haupt Antiek Market this weekend at 7570 W. 147th St. (one block west of Cedar Ave/Hwy 77) in Apple Valley. Hours are until 7 today, Saturday from 9 to 5, and Sunday 11 to 4. Happy saling!

Historic Downtown Carver and Historic Chaska are both located in Carver County just a short drive apart. Allow several hours if you want to visit all the shops! They are dressed and stocked for the holidays with lots of decorative items for your home plus gifts aplenty. Each downtown has a rather new store to visit. In Carver, you’ll find Rosehips & Willow at 308 Broadway with a lively mix of vintage, new goods, and crafted fresh wreaths. The new kid on the block in Chaska is Urban Patina at 220 N. Chestnut which offers smartly crafted furniture, lamps, and signs which incorporate lots of metal and vintage wood. It’s just a few doors north of Carver Junk Company. While you’re in town, stop at Shop 501 which is open every Wednesday to Sunday and started out as an occasional store. Most stops are open Friday and Saturday 10 to 4 and Sunday from 11 to 3. Happy saling!

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Middle Sister &Urban Moon shopsMiddle Sister &Urban MoonUrban Moon &Middle SisterUrban Moon &Middle SisterMiddle Sister &Urban Moon
The shops of St. Paul are dressed for the holidays. Urban Moon and The Middle Sister are overflowing with old-style Christmas decor like German nutcrackers and Swedish straw wreaths. You’ll find some wonderful furniture as well including a multi-drawer cabinet of burled wood, carved drawer mini buffet, and marble-topped small side table. There’s a huge selection of sparkly costume jewelry for parties – or jean jackets. Throws and table scarves from India mingle with English tea cups and prints of the Eiffel Tower. In other words, it’s an eclectic mix of home decor for the holidays and beyond. Urban Moon and The Middle Sister shops are open Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday from 12 to 5 at 1048 Selby Avenue (just east of Lexington Pkwy. in St. Paul.Belle JunqueBelle JunqueBelle JunqueBelle JunqueBelle Junque
At the corner of Cleveland and Randolph, you’ll see a blue-and-white striped awning with a few pieces of furniture on the sidewalk beneath. If you go in the door, you’ll discover a tranquil space filled with French farmhouse furniture and decor. There are lovely vintage dressers, architectural columns, painted tables, and lots of white china. Rustic door meets silver baubles and Cyprus wreaths nudge charming reproduction hanging lanterns. The selection isn’t huge, but it is well chosen. Take a look Saturday from 11 to 5 at 474 Cleveland Avenue South. (Please note that these shops will be open for the St. Paul VINTAGE CRAWL on Saturday, November 25th along with Mama’s Happy on Grand Avenue).
Happy saling!

The Cottage HouseThe Cottage HouseThe Cottage HouseThe Cottage House
The Cottage House is still celebrating fall and Thanksgiving with warm, cozy decor. The outdoor area boasts colorful metal signs and sculptures as well as stacks of old doors and windows. Indoors you’ll see dishes and glassware plus lots of furniture – buffets, chests, tables and chairs. Every room is full of signs. The Cottage House is open tonight until 7, Thursday and Friday from 10 to 7, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 6 at 4304 & 4308 Chicago Avenue South.Urban CottageUrban CottageUrban CottageUrban Cottage
Urban Cottage is spanning the seasons with autumn decor plus bits of holiday glitter. The shop is light and bright with colorful blankets and shawls in winter plaids and checks – all very proper and smart. Silver, brass, and gold touches contrast with the grays, creams, and rich dark woods of chests, tables, and buffets. Vintage clothes look fresh and immaculate. Hats, gloves, and jewelry are great accessories or gifts. This month also brings gift ideas like tins of tea, candles, soups, and jams. Urban Cottage is open tonight until 7, Thursday from 10 until 7, Friday and Saturday from 10 to 6, and Sunday from 10 to 5 at 5157 Bloomington Avenue South. Happy saling!

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Vintage IvyVintage IvyVintage IvyVintage IvyVintage Ivy
The Vintage Ivy Holiday Market is a treat for shoppers! There are so many individual vendors each offering a unique take on what holiday gifts and decor should be. Everything is vintagy, chippy, rusty, repurposed or hand-crafted. Furniture, mittens, flannels, jewelry, signs, antlers, ornaments….you’ll find many choices in each category. The venue is light and well-organized. Each individual vendor collects payment for items sold in their space. (Be warned: some only take cash or checks). In the 101 Market itself, you can also buy evergreens, decor, food, and snacks (with tables to sit at) – all indoors with parking closeby. The exact address is 8980 Quantrelle Ave, Otsego, but the location is pretty easy to find – just east of Hwy. 101 at the 90th St. exit. Vintage Ivy is open today and tomorrow from 9 to 5.

French VintageMarketplaceFrench VintageFrench VintageFrench VintageFrench Vintage
The French Vintage Marketplace is put on by The French Flea of Anoka and Green Valley Garden Center so it’s no surprise that there are lots of holiday greens and attractive potted arrangements available plus a large area indoors displaying lamps, pillows, and furniture in the French Flea’s signature cream and white paint. There are also many vendors with their own hand-crafted and vintage decor, jewelry, clothing, and accessories. You’ll see the work of some talented artisans along with the merchandise available from Green Valley. There’s a small snack area which includes cookies and cupcakes for sale. The French Vintage Marketplace is located at 6530 Green Valley Road in Ramsey and is open today until 7 and tomorrow from 9 to 5. Happy saling!

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Garden Party GalleryGarden Party GalleryGarden Party GalleryGarden Party GalleryGarden Party Gallery
Garden Party Gallery has one room packed with festive fall items for decorating and entertaining this month. The rest of the shop is ready for winter festivities. There is lots of glassware, wine racks, and cheese boards for entertaining, just to name a few. Tables, desks, and buffets are there too finished in the GPG’s unique style. What is most eye-catching is the magical tree and abundant holiday decorations. They will get your creative decorating ideas flowing. To see all the goodies, stop by Garden Party Gallery on Friday and Saturday from 10 to 6 or Sunday from 12 to 5 at 1213 Mainstreet in downtown Hopkins. Happy saling!

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The Middle Sister& Urban MoonThe Middle Sister& Urban MoonUrban Moon &The Middle SisterUrban Moon &The Middle SisterBelle JunqueBelle JunqueBelle Junque
It’s always a pleasure to visit St. Paul’s two occasional shops. They have so much to offer depending on your favorite decorating style and your particular home furnishing needs. The ladies at Urban Moon and The Middle Sister have a diverse selection of decor and furniture. You’ll find art prints, mirrors, chalkboards, and magnetic boards created with maps of a favorite place in the world. There are trays filled with vintage costume jewelry with plenty of bling. Furniture favorites come in large and small pieces in wood tones or carefully painted vintage. Lamps, shades, cushions, linens, china, silver, brass – it’s all there. And denim shirts and jackets are displayed along with books on decorating and books for kids. Candles in tea cups and candle sticks as well as English tea cups can be found too plus lots more. Shop hours are 10 to 5 Saturday and noon to 5 on Sunday at 1048 Selby Avenue (south of 94 and just east of Lexington Pkwy).
Belle Junque evokes a crisp, calm atmosphere with pale walls and light wood floors. Dishes, accessories and furniture are predominantly white or cream colored. There are a few delightful exceptions including a primitive table and a stunning buffet, both in pristine condition. Many of the light fixtures are charming reproductions which suit the mix of French farmhouse and elegant belle époque furnishings. And, of course, there are succulents potted and ready to take home – the perfect all season, easy-care plant. Belle Junque is open this Saturday and most weekends (Thursdays to Saturdays) from 11 to 5 at 474 Cleveland Avenue South (at the corner of Randolph) and next to the new French bistro, Brigade. Happy saling!

Rosehips & Willow,CarverRosehips & Willow,CarverFarm Girl Junk,CarverMs. Mac’s Too,CarverGood Junk Garage,CarverLinda’s Cellar,ChaskaLinda’s Cellar,Chaska
The shops of Carver and Chaska continue to charm shoppers with interesting vintage pieces, handcrafted furniture, and freshly harvested florals, pumpkins and gourds. Rosehips & Willow has lovely wreaths and swags of bittersweet and rosehips (as they should with their name!) They also stock pillows, candles, and assorted vintage pieces. Farm Girl Junk has some magnificent new furniture this month including a huge square table with benches and chairs for a gathering. Signs, toys, dishtowels, and more fill the shop. Ms. Mac’s Too has a great assortment of architectural finds along with cupboards, shelves, tables, and vintage pieces to create a rustic ambiance. The Good Junk Garage has a few stained glass windows – my favorite is the one which says SHOES.(It was made for a shoe store, but would make a perfect hanging for the person who has a large collection of shoes!) You’ll also find a classic white enamel stove, all kinds of rusty metal stuff, plus dishes, art, old doors, old signs, and dressers to name a few treasures. The shops of Carver are open from 10 to 5 Friday and Saturday and 11 to 3 on Sunday. On the east edge of downtown Carver, stop for a latte or some tea at A Cup of Carver.
A mile down the road, follow the detour signs into Chaska where Linda’s Cellar on East Second Street will welcome you with treats and all kinds of Halloween decor. Hydrangeas, gourds, and pumpkins plus pickles and canned applesauce await along with rusty farm tools, cabinets, tables, chairs, buckets, signs, blankets and lots of flannel shirts (beautifully faded). Linda’s is open 10 to 4 on Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 on Sunday.
If you are starting in Chaska, take Fourth Street west from Hwy. 41 (Chestnut) to detour around the Hwy. 61 construction and make your way to Carver. And enjoy all the beautiful fall color. Happy saling!